The Executive Directorate of the National Health Service (DE-SNS) ordered Local Health Units (ULS) to reduce expenses in 2026, even if this implies a reduction in the number of consultations, surgeries and other assistance acts. The guidance was conveyed at a meeting with hospital directors held in Santarém, days after the delivery of the Budget.
For the Green Party, this instruction given to hospitals is unacceptable and will undoubtedly impact their ability to respond to users. Such guidance will certainly worsen waiting times for consultations and surgeries, further increasing the already growing waiting lists due to the lack of response from health units, mainly resulting from a shortage of professionals in the SNS.
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This is another piece in the strategy to destroy the SNS, a strategy also included in the 2026 State Budget, which continues the process of structural underfunding of the SNS.
The lack of funds is definitely not an acceptable excuse, since the 2026 State Budget substantially increases the funds allocated to war (5% of GDP) and significantly increases tax benefits for large economic and financial groups.
For the Greens, this is therefore a clear political choice to destroy the SNS when what was fundamental was to adequately fund it in order to generate effectiveness and encourage the allocation of doctors, nurses, and other health professionals.
This weakening of the SNS, which clearly aims to benefit private groups, must be strongly contested by users in order to guarantee the right to health enshrined in the Constitution of the Portuguese Republic.
